Locals bust a move at Wrightsville Beach in 'Happy' video

By Caitlin DineenCaitlin.Dineen@StarNewsOnline.com

Saturday

May 31, 2014 at 6:15 AM

New video set to the tune of Pharrell Williams' hit song depict some of area's highlights.

What do a man doing "The Sprinkler," employees at Rita's and a girl falling off a paddle board have in common?They're all part of a new video, set to the tune of Pharrell Williams' "Happy," depicting some of the many highlights of Wrightsville Beach."It's just a friendly place to live," said Ned Leary, one of the two area photographers who put together the 4-minute, 45-second video. "I like new ideas and executing new ideas."Leary and University of North Carolina Wilmington rising senior Will Page hit the streets of Wrightsville Beach three or four times to find strangers willing to dance for strangers.Getting enough people to dance was one of the major challenges for the duo. "You never knew what you were going to get," said Page, a business major.Some people had a "bring it on" mentality, he added.Those people were probably the man dancing with fish guts, the group of tattooed guys who look like Justin Bieber and the bachelorette party.Jordan Davis, business manager of Atlantic Marine, said Leary came into the marina one day a week or so ago and said employees there needed to be part of the video.When employees walked outside, the camera equipment was all set up and there was an iPhone with a speaker ready to play the music."It was just that simple and that quick," Davis said.Page and Leary said they did the video for fun. It is not part of any marketing promotion through the city."I've lived in Wrightsville Beach about six years now," Leary said. "I saw this thing popping up all over."Leary said the song, with an upbeat tempo and infectious chorus, is something everyone immediately starts tapping their feet to when they hear it.Davis said he is not surprised the video, which has been watched more than 50,000 times since it was uploaded online Tuesday, is popular."That's exactly the kind of thing I would expect to go viral locally, at least," he said.Even if the video was just for fun, Leary and Page said if it brings any attention to their personal businesses, that's a bonus.Aerial footage in the video was taken with a drone, Leary said."It's the latest toy," he said, adding using it is more difficult than people may think.In addition to clips of dancing tourists, the video roots itself in the beach community and features employees from 18local businesses.Time lapse footage of the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge and sunsets round out the community-promoting video.

Caitlin Dineen: 343-2339

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